“Appropriation study of texts is interesting because the changing values and attitudes of particular time periods can be observed.” Evaluate this opinion in relation to the Jane Austen’s novel, Emma, and Amy Heckerling’s film, Clueless. In your response make detailed references to both texts. 3. In comparing your TWO texts you will have become aware of how the contexts of the texts have shaped their form and meaning. Of more interest, perhaps, is a comparison of the values associated with each text.
How has the study of Emma and its appropriation of Clueless developed your understanding of context influencing values. Jane Austen’s Emma and Heckerling’s appropriation of Clueless (1995) reveal the impact of context on societal values. Clueless differs in medium as it has been appropriated from the society of the Regency Era in England represented in Austen’s novel, into the Californian teenage culture of the 20th century. This transformation enables modern audiences to recognise that despite seemingly drastic shifts in contextual settings, both texts use satire to reaffirm the transcending values of social order, the role of women, patriarchy and marriage. Austen recognises the individual’s social standing as a significant distinguishing factor affecting acceptance in society through the use of tone.
How do the connections between the two texts enrich the meaning of each text? When considered on their own, texts are constructed to create meaning and impart that meaning on a responder. However when two linked texts a considered together, their meanings are enriched as the responder can compare both texts, and take extra meaning from how the two texts differ and agree with each other, by evaluating which is more effective. Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice when read in isolation can be a simple bildungsroman narrative about the maturation of a young woman. However if the responder were to read Fay Weldon’s Letters to Alice on first reading Jane Austen, the connections between the two would shape and then reshape the responder’s understanding of both texts.
How has the study of Emma and its appropriate clueless developed your understanding of how context influenced values? -Select at least 2 significant moments of Austen’s Emma and analyse how these moments are considered in order to create meaning in Heckerling’s Clueless. In your response focus on ideas, context, values and language. Heckerling’s Clueless (1995) is transformed through Austen’s 19th Century novel, Emma, where the plot and characters have been transformed to suit Heckerling’s context and contemporary audience. Despite the shift in context from 19th century England to late 20th century Beverly Hills, Austen’s main plot and ideas have been retained to a great degree.
Transformations: How has your perceptions of transformations been illuminated by your comparative study of the prescribed texts? The responder’s understanding of transformations has been illuminated by a comparative study of Jane Austen’s ‘Emma’ and Amy Heckerling’s ‘Clueless’. The word transformation refers to the change of form or appearance. In order for Heckerling to transform Emma she needed to change the context of Austen’s 19th Century, English novel ‘Emma’ to better fit her 20th Century American film, ‘Clueless’. Marriage, charity, wealth, owning a home and even the means of transportation are all things seen and acted upon differently in a more modern context.
Emma vs. Clueless Essay 1.1 “In what way have the changing values and attitudes of different times been shown by the study of your two texts?” At different periods of time human society has been recorded to value certain qualities and behaviours over others, this is evident in art, music and literatures. By observing the similarities and differences of two novels belonging to periods, with the difference of a century’s time between them, we are given a perfect example of this alteration in values and attitudes. In Emma Jane Austen challenges the values of the Regency period’s strict social hierarchy and the attitudes of the “higher class” verses the “lower class.” She also reflects the roles of woman and their minor role in 19th century English society, when compared to men of ‘equal’ birth and wealth, and the importance of a “good match” when entering into the matrimonial state. In Hecherling’s Clueless we are also faced with a class structure, though it appears to be more fluid and easily manipulated or overcome by the use of money. In 20th century America the reasons and importance on marriage for both women and men has clearly changed and it is no longer necessary to be settled early and therefore couples are free to marry for life.
“Emma” written by Jane Austen is a novel set in the small town of Highbury set in the 19th century. The novel is structured around various courtships and romantic connections some of which Emma attempts to create for the people around her. Emma possesses beauty, wealth, intelligence, high social standing, and financial independence. There are many major roles throughout Emma that help Austen achieve her purpose of showing the importance of social class in that era and also the importance of “minding your own business” and not getting involved in others affairs. Austen achieves this purpose through the themes she portrays throughout the novel.
Texts are cultural artefacts that reflect the values of their various societies. The two texts “Emma” by Jane Austin and “Clueless” by Amy Heckerling both use various techniques to discuss their relevant cultural values. Through the studies of the similarities of these two texts “Clueless” becomes a reflection of the past which is shown in “Emma”. In the introduction of the texts there is an extreme amount of detail that is discovered about the main Characters Emma and Cher. The film clueless begins with a quick sequence of shots showing Cher shopping, driving, at a party and spending time with her friends.
The transformation of a text enables the ideas within that text to be explored as new insights into significant concerns and values are examined resulting in contextual change. Jane Austen’s 19th century Emma is appropriated into Amy Heckerling’s 20th century film Clueless by undergoing contextual shifts to accommodate a new audience. By doing so Heckerling is able to make new meaning in a text that explores universal and timeless issues such as class system and education and demonstrates that while there have been changes in context, class stability and femininity are still valued but have been reshaped to created new meaning. In Emma Austen presents the class system of the 19th century as a significant concern. The novel depicts a rigidly structured world based on wealth, property and status.
“Laugh as much as you choose, but you will not laugh me out of my opinion.” Jane ch 17 -Charles Bingley- Easily influenced and a nice man. Darcy’s friend who move to Netherfield, and left Netherfield. “If a women is partial to a man, and does not endevour to conceal it, he must find it out.” Elizabeth ch 6 - Mrs. Bennet- obstructive and foolish. Elizabeth’s mother who is obsessed with husbands for her daughters. Attempting to push Elizabeth into a marriage with Mr. Collins.